Gail Kathleen Segar

Gail "Gay" Kathleen Segar, 84, passed away at her home surrounded by loved ones on March 9, 2026, after being diagnosed with cancer a year ago.

Gay was born to her beloved parents, Bert and Gren Stevens, in 1941 and grew up with her sister Marcy (Norman) in Hibbing, MN.

Gay lived a full life alongside her cherished high school sweetheart and husband of nearly 65 years, Larry. Epic tales fail to describe two people more in love and committed to one another and their family. Gay and Larry were blessed with three children, Pete (Kim), Lori, and Rich (Marie); eight grandchildren Max (Eryn), Hannah (Shane), Oscar, Madison, Hayley (Olaf), Josie, Piper, and George; and two great grandchildren, Luna and Luca.

Larry and Gay enjoyed many activities and trips with their family over the years, from their 1970s family station wagon journeys (Disneyland, Las Vegas) to Bert's ancestral home in Cornwall to individualized trips with each grandchild (San Diego, Chicago, Disneyworld) to extended family vacations (Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama). Gay's clever wit and crafty mind brought joy to the grandchildren with her mysteries, puzzles, and games.

Gay enjoyed a wide social circle and had a gift for making every person feel special. She always remembered birthdays and anniversaries, and thank you notes were often hand-written (usually in cursive but occasionally in manuscript for the younger ones). She had a flair for entertaining and hosted events ranging from gourmet club parties to bridge clubs to themed family events like an Easter Peep's diorama competition.

Gay was accomplished, starting with an illustrious high school career. She then attended Macalester College for a semester, but could not bear the distance from her young lover and soon transferred to the UND, where she graduated magna cum laude. Pete and Lori were both born in ND, and then the young family moved to Rochester in 1965. After Rich was born, Gay worked as an elementary school teacher for several years. Later she became a government certified tax preparer and, as an entrepreneurial woman in the 1980s, co-founded a small business (Accounting & Tax Associates). Gay had a giving spirit and actively volunteered in the community at school, church, and Methodist Hospital. She also served on the board of directors for AAUW, as board chair for Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home, and as treasurer for church and charity groups.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 20th at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home (5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester): Visitation at 10am, service at 11am, and lunch reception at noon. We invite all who come to share their stories and memories of Gay at the reception.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Gail Segar to Seasons Hospice or Mayo Clinic toward giant cell arteritis research or ovarian cancer research.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Segar family.